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Rex Resources Corp. — Proxy Solicitation & Information Statement 2025
Aug 5, 2025
48018_rns_2025-08-05_f78acc9d-9e49-42d3-9fd6-bad5d5a7eec8.pdf
Proxy Solicitation & Information Statement
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REX RESOURCES CORP.
Suite 228 – 1122 Mainland Street
Vancouver, BC V6B 5L1
NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL AND SPECIAL MEETING
Notice is hereby given that an annual general and special meeting (the “Meeting”) of the shareholders of Rex Resources Corp. (the “Company”) will be held at Suite 228 – 1122 Mainland Street, Vancouver, British Columbia V6B 5L1 on Friday, August 29, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. (Pacific Time), for the following purposes:
- to receive and consider the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company, together with the auditor’s reports thereon, for the years ended September 30, 2024 and 2023;
- to set the number of directors of the Company for the ensuing year at five (5);
- to elect directors of the Company for the ensuing year;
- to appoint Crowe MacKay LLP as the auditor of the Company for the ensuing year and to authorize the directors to fix the auditor’s remuneration;
- to ratify, confirm and approve the Company’s 10% rolling share option plan, as such plan is described in the accompanying management information circular (the “Information Circular”); and
- to transact such other business, including amendments to the foregoing, as may properly come before the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.
The Information Circular accompanies this Notice. The Information Circular contains details of matters to be considered at the Meeting. No other matters are contemplated; however, any permitted amendment to or variation of any matter identified in this Notice may properly be considered at the Meeting. The Meeting may also consider the transaction of such other business as may properly come before the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.
Shareholders of record on the Company’s books at the close of business on July 18, 2025 are entitled to attend and vote at the Meeting or at any postponement or adjournment thereof. Each Class A common share of the Company is entitled to one vote.
The audited consolidated financial statements of the Company for the years ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, together with the auditor’s reports thereon, will be tabled at the Meeting. The financial statements will be made available at the Meeting and will be available on request to the Company, and may be viewed on the Company’s SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca.
Registered shareholders who are unable to attend the Meeting in person and who wish to ensure that their shares will be voted at the Meeting are requested to complete, date and sign the enclosed form of proxy or another suitable form of proxy, and deliver it in accordance with the instructions set out in the form of proxy and in the Information Circular.
Non-registered shareholders who plan to attend the Meeting must follow the instructions set out in the form of proxy or voting instruction form to ensure that their shares will be voted at the Meeting. If you hold your shares in a brokerage account you are not a registered shareholder.
DATED at Vancouver, British Columbia, as of this 25th day of July, 2025.
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD
/s/ “Craig Taylor”
Craig Taylor
Chief Executive Officer
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REX RESOURCES CORP.
Suite 228 – 1122 Mainland Street
Vancouver, BC V6B 5L1
INFORMATION CIRCULAR
as at July 25, 2025 (except as otherwise indicated)
This Information Circular is furnished in connection with the solicitation of Proxies by the management of Rex Resources Corp. (the “Company”) for use at the annual general and special meeting (the “Meeting”) of its shareholders to be held on Friday, August 29, 2025 at the time and place and for the purposes set forth in the accompanying notice of the Meeting.
In this Information Circular, references to the “Company”, “we” and “our” refer to Rex Resources Corp. “Shares” or “Common Shares” means Class A common shares without par value in the capital of the Company. “Beneficial Shareholders” means shareholders who do not hold Shares in their own name and “intermediaries” refers to brokers, investment firms, clearing houses and similar entities that own securities on behalf of Beneficial Shareholders.
GENERAL PROXY INFORMATION
Solicitation of Proxies
The solicitation of proxies will be primarily by mail, but Proxies may be solicited personally or by telephone by directors, officers and regular employees of the Company. The Company will bear all costs of this solicitation. We have arranged for intermediaries to forward the meeting materials to beneficial owners of the Shares held of record by those intermediaries and we may reimburse the intermediaries for their reasonable fees and disbursements in that regard.
Appointment of Proxyholders
The individuals named in the accompanying form of proxy (the “Proxy”) are officers and/or directors of the Company. If you are a Shareholder entitled to vote at the Meeting, you have the right to appoint a person or company other than the persons designated in the Proxy, who need not be a Shareholder, to attend and act for you and on your behalf at the Meeting. You may do so either by inserting the name of that other person in the blank space provided in the Proxy or by completing and delivering another suitable form of Proxy.
Voting by Proxyholder
The persons named in the Proxy will vote or withhold from voting the Shares represented thereby in accordance with your instructions on any ballot that may be called for. If you specify a choice with respect to any matter to be acted upon, your Shares will be voted accordingly. The Proxy confers discretionary authority on the persons named therein with respect to:
(a) each matter or group of matters identified therein for which a choice is not specified, other than the appointment of an auditor and the election of directors;
(b) any amendment to or variation of any matter identified therein; and
(c) any other matter that properly comes before the Meeting.
In respect of a matter for which a choice is not specified in the Proxy, the management appointee acting as a proxyholder will vote in favour of each matter identified on the Proxy and, if applicable, for the nominees of management for directors and auditors as identified in the Proxy.
Registered Shareholders
Registered shareholders may wish to vote by proxy whether or not they are able to attend the Meeting in person. Registered shareholders may choose one of the following options to submit their proxy:
(a) complete, date and sign the Proxy and return it to the Company’s transfer agent, TSX Trust Company (“TSX Trust”), by fax at (416) 595-9593, or by mail or hand delivery to Suite 301, 100 Adelaide Street West, Toronto, Ontario M5H 4H1; or
(b) use the internet through the website of TSX Trust at www.voteproxyonline.com. Registered shareholders must follow the instructions that appear on the screen and refer to the Proxy for the holder’s account number and the control number.
In all cases the Registered Shareholder must ensure the proxy is received at least 48 hours (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and statutory holidays) before the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof, at which the proxy is to be used.
Beneficial Shareholders
The following information is of significant importance to shareholders who do not hold Common Shares in their own name. Beneficial Shareholders should note that the only proxies that can be recognized and acted upon at the Meeting are those deposited by registered shareholders (those whose names appear on the records of the Company as the registered holders of Common Shares) or as set out in the following disclosure.
If Common Shares are listed in an account statement provided to a shareholder by a broker, then in almost all cases those Common Shares will not be registered in the shareholder’s name on the records of the Company. Such Common Shares will more likely be registered under the names of the shareholder’s broker or an agent of that broker. In Canada, the vast majority of such Common Shares are registered under the name of CDS & Co. (the registration name for The Canadian Depository for Securities Limited, which acts as nominee for many Canadian brokerage firms), and in the United States, under the name of Cede & Co. as nominee for The Depository Trust Company (which acts as depositary for many U.S. brokerage firms and custodian banks).
Intermediaries are required to seek voting instructions from Beneficial Shareholders in advance of shareholder meetings. Every intermediary has its own mailing procedures and provides its own return instructions to clients.
There are two kinds of Beneficial Shareholders – those who object to their name being made known to the issuers of securities which they own (called “OBOs”; for Objecting Beneficial Owners) and those who do not object to their name being made known to the issuers of securities which they own (called “NOBOs”; for Non-Objecting Beneficial Owners).
The meeting materials are being sent to both registered and non-registered owners of the securities of the Company. If you are a non-registered owner, and the Company or its agent sent the materials directly to you, your name and address and information about your holdings of securities have been obtained in accordance with applicable securities regulatory requirements from the intermediary holding securities on your behalf.
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Beneficial Shareholders who are OBOs should follow the instructions of their intermediary carefully to ensure that their Common Shares are voted at the Meeting.
The form of proxy supplied to you by your broker will be similar to the proxy provided to registered shareholders by the Company. However, its purpose is limited to instructing the intermediary on how to vote your Common Shares on your behalf. Most brokers now delegate responsibility for obtaining instructions from clients to Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (“Broadridge”) in the United States and in Canada. Broadridge mails a voting information form (a “VIF”) in lieu of a proxy provided by the Company. The VIF will name the same persons as the Company’s proxy to represent your Common Shares at the Meeting. You have the right to appoint a person (who need not be a Beneficial Shareholder of the Company) other than any of the persons designated in the VIF, to represent your Common Shares at the Meeting, and that person may be you. To exercise this right, you should insert the name of the desired representative (which may be yourself) in the blank space provided in the VIF. The completed VIF must then be returned to Broadridge by mail or facsimile or given to Broadridge by phone or over the internet, in accordance with Broadridge’s instructions. Broadridge then tabulates the results of all instructions received and provides appropriate instructions respecting the voting of Common Shares to be represented at the Meeting, and the appointment of any shareholder’s representative. If you receive a VIF from Broadridge, the VIF must be completed and returned to Broadridge, in accordance with its instructions, well in advance of the Meeting in order to have your Common Shares voted at the Meeting or to vote your Common Shares at the Meeting.
Notice to Shareholders in the United States
The solicitation of proxies involves securities of an issuer located in Canada and is being effected in accordance with the corporate laws of the Province of British Columbia, Canada and securities laws of the provinces of Canada. The proxy solicitation rules under the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, are not applicable to the Company or this solicitation, and this solicitation has been prepared in accordance with the disclosure requirements of the securities laws of the provinces of Canada. Shareholders should be aware that disclosure requirements under the securities laws of the provinces of Canada differ from the disclosure requirements under U.S. securities laws.
The enforcement by shareholders of civil liabilities under U.S. federal securities laws may be affected adversely by the fact that the Company is incorporated under the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) (the “BCA”), certain of its directors and its executive officers are residents of Canada and a substantial portion of its assets and the assets of such persons are located outside the U.S. Shareholders may not be able to sue a foreign corporation or its officers or directors in a foreign court for violations of U.S. federal securities laws. It may be difficult to compel a foreign corporation and its officers and directors to subject themselves to a judgment by a U.S. court.
Revocation of Proxies
In addition to revocation in any other manner permitted by law, a Registered Shareholder who has given a proxy may revoke it by:
(a) executing a proxy bearing a later date or by executing a valid notice of revocation, either of the foregoing to be executed by the Registered Shareholder or the Registered Shareholder’s authorized attorney in writing, or, if the shareholder is a corporation, under its corporate seal by an officer or attorney duly authorized, and by delivering the proxy bearing a later date to TSX Trust or at the address of the Company’s head office, located at Suite 228 – 1122 Mainland Street, Vancouver, BC V6B 5L1, at any time up to and including the last business day that precedes the day of the Meeting or, if the Meeting is adjourned or postponed, the last business day that precedes any reconvening thereof, or to
the chairman of the Meeting on the day of the Meeting or any reconvening thereof, or in any other manner provided by law; or
(b) personally attending the Meeting and voting the Registered Shareholder’s Common Shares.
A revocation of a proxy will not affect a matter on which a vote is taken before the revocation.
INTEREST OF CERTAIN PERSONS OR COMPANIES IN MATTERS TO BE ACTED UPON
No director or executive officer of the Company, or any person who has held such a position since the beginning of the Company’s financial years ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, nor any nominee for election as a director of the Company, nor any associate or affiliate of the foregoing persons, has any substantial or material interest, direct or indirect, by way of beneficial ownership of securities or otherwise, in any matter to be acted on at the Meeting other than the election of directors and as may be set out herein.
VOTING SECURITIES AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF VOTING SECURITIES
The board of directors of the Company (the “Board”) has fixed July 18, 2025 as the record date (the “Record Date”) for the determination of persons entitled to receive notice of the Meeting. Only shareholders of record at the close of business on the Record Date who either (i) attend the Meeting personally or (ii) complete, sign and deliver a Proxy in the manner and subject to the provisions described above will be entitled to vote or to have their Shares voted at the Meeting.
The Company’s Shares are listed for trading on the TSX Venture Exchange (the “TSXV”) under the stock symbol “OWN”. As of the date of this Information Circular, there are 8,173,095 Shares issued and outstanding, each carrying the right to one vote. No group of shareholders has the right to elect a specified number of directors, nor are there cumulative or similar voting rights attached to the Shares. The Company is also authorized to issue an unlimited number of Class B Preferred Shares. As of the date of this Information Circular, there are no preferred shares issued and outstanding.
To the knowledge of the directors and senior officers of the Company, only the following persons or corporations beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, or exercised control or direction over, Common Shares carrying more than 10% of the voting rights attached to all outstanding shares of the Company:
| Shareholder Name | Number of Common Shares Held | Percentage of Issued Common Shares |
|---|---|---|
| Craig Taylor | 842,767 | 10.31% |
VOTES NECESSARY TO PASS RESOLUTIONS
A simple majority of affirmative votes cast in person or by proxy at the Meeting is required to pass the resolutions described herein as ordinary resolutions. If there are more nominees for election as directors or appointment of the Company’s auditor than there are vacancies to fill, those nominees receiving the greatest number of votes will be elected or appointed, as the case may be, until all such vacancies have been filled. If the number of nominees for election or appointment is equal to the number of vacancies to be filled, all such nominees will be declared elected or appointed by acclamation.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The audited consolidated financial statements of the Company for the years ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, together with the accompanying auditor’s reports (which may be obtained from SEDAR+ at
www.sedarplus.ca and copies of which will be available at the Meeting) will be placed before the shareholders at the Meeting.
NUMBER OF DIRECTORS
At the Meeting, shareholders will be asked to pass an ordinary resolution to set the number of directors of the Company at five (5). The number of directors will be approved if the affirmative vote of the majority of Shares present or represented by proxy at the Meeting and entitled to vote are voted in favour to set the number of directors at five (5).
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
At present, the directors of the Company are elected at each annual general meeting of shareholders and hold office until the next annual general meeting, or until their successors are duly elected or appointed in accordance with the Articles of the Company or until such director's earlier death, resignation or removal. The Company's current Board consists of Craig Taylor, Anthony Zelen, Michael Leahy, Kristopher Raffle and Adam Emes.
Advance Notice Provisions
Pursuant to the notice provisions contained in the Company's Articles, the Board has determined that notice of nominations of persons for election to the Board at the Meeting must be made following the requirements of such timely notice provisions. As of the date of this Information Circular, the Company has not received notice of a nomination in compliance with the Articles and, subject to the timely receipt of any such nomination, any nominations other than nominations by or at the direction of the Board or an authorized officer of the Company will be disregarded at the Meeting.
Director Nominees
The following table sets out the names of management's five (5) nominees for election as director, all major offices and positions with the Company and any of its significant affiliates each now holds, each nominee's principal occupation, business or employment (for the last five (5) years for each director nominee), the period of time during which each has been a director of the Company and the number of Common Shares beneficially owned by each, directly or indirectly, or over which each exercised control or direction, as of the date of this Information Circular.
| Name of Nominee; Current Position with the Company; Province & Country of Residence | Principal Occupation, Business or Employment | Director Since | Number of Securities Beneficially Owned or over which Control or Direction is Exercised(1) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Craig Taylor | |||
| CEO, Director | |||
| British Columbia, Canada | Senior officer and director of various public and private companies | July 29, 2020 | 842,767(2) |
| Anthony Zelen(3) | |||
| CFO, Corporate Secretary, Director | |||
| British Columbia, Canada | President of Zelen Consulting Inc., a private company providing consulting services to public and private companies | July 29, 2020 | 683,700(4) |
| Michael Leahy(3) | |||
| Director | |||
| British Columbia, Canada | Chief Executive Officer of GOAT Industries Ltd. (CSE: GOAT); | ||
| Independent capital markets business consultant | July 2, 2024 | 73,333(5) |
| Name of Nominee; Current Position with the Company; Province & Country of Residence | Principal Occupation, Business or Employment | Director Since | Number of Securities Beneficially Owned or over which Control or Direction is Exercised(1) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kristopher Raffle | |||
| Director | |||
| British Columbia, Canada | Partner and Principal Geologist with APEX Geoscience Ltd. | September 30, 2024 | 36,667 |
| Adam Emes(3) | |||
| Director | |||
| British Columbia, Canada | Co-Founder of Black Swan Solutions Inc, a capital markets advisory firm; Entrepreneur | March 21, 2025 | 16,666(6) |
Notes:
(1) Information as to the principal occupation, business or employment, and the Shares beneficially owned, or controlled or directed, directly or indirectly, is not within the knowledge of management of the Company and has been furnished by the respective nominees.
(2) Mr. Taylor also holds warrants to purchase 66,667 Shares at a price of $0.225 per Share expiring on April 25, 2026, and options to purchase 166,667 Shares at a price of $0.18 per Share expiring on May 15, 2029.
(3) Member of the Audit Committee of the Company.
(4) Includes 200,000 Shares held by Zelen Consulting Inc., a company controlled by Mr. Zelen, and 483,700 Shares held by Mr. Zelen directly. Mr. Zelen also holds warrants to purchase 100,000 Shares at a price of $0.225 per Share expiring on April 25, 2026 (through Zelen Consulting Inc.) and options to purchase 100,000 Shares at a price of $0.18 per Share expiring on May 15, 2029.
(5) Mr. Leahy also holds warrants to purchase 33,333 Shares at a price of $0.225 per Share expiring on April 25, 2026, options to purchase 66,667 Shares at a price of $0.18 per Share expiring on May 15, 2029, and options to purchase 66,667 Shares at a price of $0.15 per Share expiring on September 17, 2029.
(6) Mr. Emes also holds warrants to purchase 8,333 Shares at a price of $0.60 per Share expiring on October 31, 2026.
None of the proposed nominees for election as a director of the Company are proposed for election pursuant to any arrangement or understanding between the nominee and any other person, except the directors and senior officers of the Company acting solely in such capacity.
Management does not contemplate that any of its nominees will be unable to serve as directors. If any vacancies occur in the slate of nominees listed above before the Meeting, then the designated persons intend to exercise discretionary authority to vote the Common Shares represented by proxies for the election of any other persons as directors.
The Board unanimously recommends that shareholders vote FOR the election of each of the director nominees listed in this Information Circular.
Cease Trade Orders and Bankruptcy
Except as disclosed herein, no director or executive officer of the Company is, as at the date of this Information Circular, or has been within 10 years before the date of this Information Circular, a director, chief executive officer or chief financial officer of any company (including the Company), that:
(a) was subject to a cease trade order, an order similar to a cease trade order, or an order that denied the relevant company access to any exemption under securities legislation, that was in effect for a period of more than 30 consecutive days, that was issued while the director or executive officer was acting in the capacity as director, chief executive officer or chief financial officer; or
(b) was subject to a cease trade order, an order similar to a cease trade order, or an order that denied the relevant company access to any exemption under securities legislation, that was in effect for a period of more than 30 consecutive days, that was issued after the director
or executive officer ceased to be a director, chief executive officer or chief financial officer and which resulted from an event that occurred while that person was acting in the capacity as director, chief executive officer or chief financial officer.
Anthony Zelen was a director of Hollister Biosciences Inc. (now, YourWay Cannabis Brands Inc.) (“Hollister”) when the British Columbia Securities Commission (the “BCSC”) issued a cease trade order against certain directors or officers of the company on June 16, 2020 for failure to file its annual financial statements and related management’s discussion and analysis (“MD&A”) and certifications for the year ended December 31, 2019. This cease trade order was revoked on July 15, 2020. In addition, Mr. Zelen was a director of Hollister when the BCSC issued a cease trade order against certain directors or officers the company on May 4, 2021 for failure to file its annual financial statements and related MD&A and certifications for the year ended December 31, 2020. This cease trade order was revoked on June 1, 2021.
Anthony Zelen was a director of New Wave Holdings Corp. (now, Humanoid Global Holdings Corp.) (“New Wave”) when the BCSC and the Ontario Securities Commission (the “OSC”) issued a cease trade order against certain directors or officers the company on July 30, 2021 and August 3, 2021, respectively, for failure to file its annual financial statements and related MD&A and certifications for the year ended March 31, 2021. These cease trade orders were revoked on October 29, 2021 and November 3, 2021, respectively.
Mr. Zelen was also a director of New Wave when the BCSC and the OSC issued a cease trade order against the company on October 5, 2021 for failure to file its interim financial statements and related MD&A and certifications for the year ended March 31, 2021 and the period ended June 30, 2021. This cease trade order was revoked on October 29, 2021.
Mr. Zelen was a director of Prospect Park Capital Corp. (“Prospect Park”) when the OSC issued a cease trade order against the company on February 3, 2023 for failure to file its annual financial statements and related MD&A and certifications for the year ended September 30, 2022. This cease trade order was revoked on April 24, 2025.
While Mr. Zelen acted as the chief executive officer and a director of Lida Resources Corp. when the company was subject to a failure-to-file management cease trade order issued by the BCSC on December 31, 2021. This cease trade order was revoked on March 4, 2022.
No director or executive officer of the Company, nor a shareholder holding a sufficient number of securities of the Company to affect materially the control of the Company:
(a) is, as at the date of this Information Circular, or has been within 10 years before the date of this Information Circular, a director or executive officer of any company (including the Company) that, while that person was acting in that capacity, or within a year of that person ceasing to act in that capacity, became bankrupt, made a proposal under any legislation relating to bankruptcy or insolvency or was subject to or instituted any proceedings, arrangement or compromise with creditors or had a receiver, receiver manager or trustee appointed to hold its assets; or
(b) has, within 10 years before the date of this Information Circular, become bankrupt, made a proposal under any legislation relating to bankruptcy or insolvency, or become subject to or instituted any proceedings, arrangement or compromise with creditors, or had a receiver, receiver manager or trustee appointed to hold the assets of the proposed director.
No director or executive officer of the Company has been subject to:
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(a) any penalties or sanctions imposed by a court relating to securities legislation or by a securities regulatory authority or has entered into a settlement agreement with a securities regulatory authority; or
(b) any other penalties or sanctions imposed by a court or regulatory body that would likely be considered important to a reasonable security holder in deciding whether to vote for a proposed director.
APPOINTMENT OF AUDITOR
At the Meeting, shareholders will be asked to pass an ordinary resolution to approve the appointment of Crowe MacKay LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants (“Crowe MacKay”), as the auditor of the Company until the next annual general meeting of shareholders at remuneration to be fixed by the Board.
Crowe MacKay was appointed as the Company’s auditor on June 9, 2023.
The Board unanimously recommends that shareholders vote FOR the appointment of Crowe MacKay.
AUDIT COMMITTEE DISCLOSURE
The provisions of National Instrument 52-110 – Audit Committees (“NI 52-110”) require the Company, as a venture issuer, to disclose annually in its information circular certain information concerning the constitution of the Company’s audit committee (the “Audit Committee”) and its relationship with its auditor, as set forth below.
Audit Committee Charter
The Audit Committee has a charter, a copy of which is attached to this Information Circular as Schedule “A”.
Composition of the Audit Committee
The following persons are members of the Audit Committee:
| Anthony Zelen | Non-Independent | Financially Literate |
|---|---|---|
| Michael Leahy | Independent | Financially Literate |
| Adam Emes | Independent | Financially Literate |
A member of the Audit Committee is independent if the member has no direct or indirect material relationship with the Company. A material relationship means a relationship, which could, in the Board’s reasonable opinion, interfere with the exercise of a member’s independent judgement.
A member of the Audit Committee is considered financially literate if he or she has the ability to read and understand a set of financial statements presenting a breadth and level of complexity of accounting issues generally comparable to the breadth and complexity of issues one can reasonably expect to be raised by the Company.
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Relevant Education and Experience
Anthony Zelen – CFO, Corporate Secretary and Director
Mr. Zelen has over 25 years of experience in finance, investor relations, start-ups and corporate development. He has served as a director and officer for a number of public companies listed in the United States and Canada and has served on audit committees of the same. He has experience working with the oversight of the preparation of financial statements, reviewing and approving financial statements and has been involved in a variety of matters requiring financial literacy.
Michael Leahy – Director
Mr. Leahy has served as a director and officer of several public and private companies over the past 14 years, where he gained the knowledge and skills required to analyze the financial statements of junior exploration companies.
Adam Emes – Director
Mr. Emes is a capital markets, corporate development and investor relations professional. He is familiar with the financial reporting requirements applicable to public companies in Canada.
Each member of the Audit Committee has adequate education and experience that is relevant to their performance as an Audit Committee member and, in particular, the requisite education and experience that have provided the member with:
(a) an understanding of the accounting principles used by the Company to prepare its financial statements, and the ability to assess the general application of those principles in connection with estimates, accruals and reserves;
(b) experience preparing, auditing, analyzing or evaluating financial statements that present a breadth and level of complexity of accounting issues that are generally comparable to the breadth and complexity of issues that can reasonably be expected to be raised by the Company’s financial statements, or experience actively supervising individuals engaged in such activities; and
(c) an understanding of internal controls and procedures for financial reporting.
Audit Committee Oversight
The Audit Committee has not made any recommendations to the Board to nominate or compensate any auditor other than Crowe MacKay.
Reliance on Certain Exemptions
The Company’s auditor, Crowe MacKay, has not provided any material non-audit services.
Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures
The Audit Committee is authorized by the Board to review the performance of the Company’s external auditor, to approve in advance the provision of services other than auditing, and to consider the independence of the external auditor, including a review of the range of services provided in the context of all consulting services rendered to the Company. The Audit Committee is authorized to approve in writing any non-audit services or additional work which the Chair of the Audit Committee deems is necessary, and the Chair will notify the other members of the Audit Committee of such non-audit or additional work and
the reasons for such non-audit work for the Committee's consideration, and if thought fit, approval in writing.
External Auditor Service Fees
The Audit Committee has reviewed the nature and amount of the non-audit services provided by the Company's auditor, Crowe MacKay, to the Company to ensure auditor independence. Fees incurred with Crowe MacKay for audit and non-audit services in the last two (2) years are outlined in the following table:
| Nature of Services | Year Ended September 30, 2024 ($) | Year Ended September 30, 2023 ($) |
|---|---|---|
| Audit Fees(1) | 35,000 | 32,500 |
| Audit-Related Fees(2) | Nil | Nil |
| Tax Fees(3) | 2,500 | 2,500 |
| All Other Fees(4) | Nil | Nil |
| Total | 37,500 | 35,000 |
Notes:
(1) "Audit Fees" include fees necessary to perform the annual audit of the Company's consolidated financial statements. Audit Fees include fees for review of tax provisions and for accounting consultations on matters reflected in the financial statements. Audit Fees also include audit or other attest services required by legislation or regulation, such as comfort letters, consents, reviews of securities filings and statutory audits.
(2) "Audit-Related Fees" include services that are traditionally performed by the auditor. These audit-related services include employee benefit audits, due diligence assistance, accounting consultations on proposed transactions, internal control reviews and audit or attest services not required by legislation or regulation.
(3) "Tax Fees" include fees for all tax services other than those included in "Audit Fees" and "Audit-Related Fees". This category includes fees for tax compliance, tax planning and tax advice. Tax planning and tax advice includes assistance with tax audits and appeals, tax advice related to mergers and acquisitions, and requests for rulings or technical advice from tax authorities.
(4) "All Other Fees" include all other non-audit services.
Exemption
The Company is a "venture issuer" as defined in NI 52-110 and is relying upon the exemption in section 6.1 of NI 52-110 relating to Parts 3 (Composition of Audit Committee) and 5 (Reporting Obligations).
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
The Board believes that good corporate governance improves corporate performance and benefits all shareholders. National Policy 58-201 – Corporate Governance Guidelines provides non-prescriptive guidelines on corporate governance practices for reporting issuers such as the Company. In addition, National Instrument 58-101 – Disclosure of Corporate Governance Practices ("NI 58-101") prescribes certain disclosure by the Company of its corporate governance practices. This section sets out the Company's approach to corporate governance and addresses the Company's compliance with NI 58-101.
Board of Directors
The Board is currently composed of five (5) directors: Craig Taylor, Anthony Zelen, Michael Leahy, Kristopher Raffle and Adam Emes.
The Board facilitates its independent supervision over the Company's management through frequent meetings of the Board.
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Directors are considered to be independent if they have no direct or indirect material relationship with the Company. A "material relationship" is a relationship which could, in the view of the Board, be reasonably expected to interfere with the exercise of a director's independent judgment. The independent members of the Board are Michael Leahy, Kristopher Raffle and Adam Emes. The non-independent directors of the Company are Craig Taylor, who is the CEO of the Company, and Anthony Zelen, who is the CFO and Corporate Secretary of the Company.
Directorships
Directors of the Company currently serve on boards of other reporting companies (or equivalent) as set out below:
| Name of Director | Name of Reporting Issuer | Exchange Listing |
|---|---|---|
| Craig Taylor | Copper King Resources Corp. | None |
| First Tidal Acquisition Corp. | TSXV | |
| Nation Gold Corp. | CSE | |
| Samurai Capital Corp. | TSXV | |
| Anthony Zelen | BIGG Digital Assets Inc. | TSXV |
| Digital Asset Technologies Inc. | CSE | |
| Humanoid Global Holdings Corp. | CSE | |
| Lida Resources Inc. | CSE | |
| MegaWatt Lithium & Battery Metals Corp. | CSE | |
| NextGen Digital Platforms Inc. | CSE | |
| PureWave Hydrogen Corp. | TSXV | |
| Ronin Ventures Corp. | TSXV | |
| Rush Gold Corp. | None | |
| Samurai Capital Corp. | TSXV | |
| Kristopher Raffle | Monumental Energy Corp. | TSXV |
| New Placer Dome Gold Corp. | None |
Orientation and Continuing Education
New members of the Board receive an orientation package which includes reports on operations and results, and public disclosure filings by the Company. Meetings of the Board are sometimes held at the Company's offices and, from time to time, are combined with presentations by the Company's management to give the directors additional insight into the Company's business. In addition, management of the Company makes itself available for discussion with all members of the Board.
Ethical Business Conduct
The Board has found that the fiduciary duties placed on individual directors by the Company's governing corporate legislation and the common law and the restrictions placed by applicable corporate legislation on an individual director's participation in decisions of the Board in which the director has an interest have been sufficient to ensure that the Board operates independently of management and in the best interests of the Company.
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Nomination of Directors
The Board considers its size each year when it considers the number of directors to recommend to the shareholders for election at the annual meeting of shareholders, taking into account the number required to carry out the Board’s duties effectively and to maintain a diversity of view and experience.
The Board does not have a nominating committee, and these functions are currently performed by the Board as a whole.
Compensation
The Board is responsible for determining compensation for the directors of the Company to ensure it reflects the responsibilities and risks of being a director of a public company.
Other Board Committees
The Board has no committees other than the Audit Committee.
Assessments
Due to the minimal size of the Board, no formal policy has been established to monitor the effectiveness of the Company’s directors, the Board and its committees.
STATEMENT OF EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
General
For the purpose of this section:
“compensation securities” includes stock options, convertible securities, exchangeable securities and similar instruments including stock appreciation rights, deferred share units and restricted stock units granted or issued by the Company or one of its subsidiaries for services provided or to be provided, directly or indirectly, to the Company or any of its subsidiaries;
“external management company” includes a subsidiary, affiliate or associate of the external management company;
“NEO” or “named executive officer” means each of the following individuals:
(a) each individual who, in respect of the Company, during any part of the most recently completed financial year, served as chief executive officer (“CEO”), including an individual performing functions similar to a CEO;
(b) each individual who, in respect of the Company, during any part of the most recently completed financial year, served as chief financial officer (“CFO”), including an individual performing functions similar to a CFO;
(c) in respect of the Company and its subsidiaries, the most highly compensated executive officer other than the individuals identified in paragraphs (a) and (b) at the end of the most recently completed financial year whose total compensation was more than $150,000 for that financial year; and
(d) each individual who would be a named executive officer under paragraph (c) but for the fact that the individual was not an executive officer of the company, and was not acting in a similar capacity, at the end of that financial year.
Director and Named Executive Officer Compensation
During financial year ended September 30, 2024, the NEOs were Craig Taylor (CEO) and Anthony Zelen (CFO and Corporate Secretary). The directors of the Company who were not NEOs during the financial year ended September 30, 2024 were Michael Leahy, Alan Hitchborn and Isidro Flores Vasquez.
During financial year ended September 30, 2023, the NEOs were Craig Taylor (CEO), Anthony Zelen (CFO and Corporate Secretary) and Meetul Patel (former CFO and Corporate Secretary). The directors of the Company who were not NEOs during financial year ended September 30, 2023 were Alan Hitchborn and Isidro Flores Vasquez.
Director and Name Executive Officer Compensation, Excluding Compensation Securities
The following compensation table, excluding options and compensation securities, provides a summary of the compensation paid by the Company to NEOs and members of the Board for the two most recently completed financial years ended September 30, 2022 and September 30, 2021. Options and compensation securities are disclosed under the heading "Stock Options and Other Compensation Securities" below.
| Table of compensation excluding compensation securities | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name and position | Year | Salary, consulting fee, retainer or commission ($) | Bonus ($) | Committee or meeting fees ($) | Value of perquisites ($) | Value of all other compensation ($) | Total compensation ($) |
| Craig Taylor^{(1)} | 2024 | 60,000 | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | 60,000 |
| CEO, Director | 2023 | 42,000 | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | 42,000 |
| Anthony Zelen^{(2)} | 2024 | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil |
| CFO, Corporate Secretary, Director | 2023 | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil |
| Meetul Patel^{(3)} | 2024 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Former CFO, Former Corporate Secretary | 2023 | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil |
| Michael Leahy^{(4)} | 2024 | 9,000 | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | 9,000 |
| Director | 2023 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Alan Hitchborn^{(5)} | 2024 | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil |
| Former Director | 2023 | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil |
| Isidro Flores Vasquez^{(6)} | 2024 | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil |
| Former Director | 2023 | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil |
Notes:
(1) Mr. Taylor was appointed as the CEO and a director of the Company on July 29, 2020.
(2) Mr. Zelen was appointed as the CFO and Corporate Secretary of the Company on July 17, 2023, and as a director of the Company on July 29, 2020.
(3) Ms. Patel served as the CFO and Corporate Secretary of the Company from January 17, 2022 to January 17, 2023.
(4) Mr. Leahy was appointed as a director of the Company on July 2, 2024.
(5) Mr. Hitchborn served as a director of the Company from July 29, 2020 to March 21, 2025.
(6) Mr. Vasquez served as a director of the Company from July 29, 2020 to July 2, 2024.
Stock Options and Other Compensation Securities
The following table discloses the particulars of the option-based awards granted to the NEOs and directors pursuant to the Option Plan in the financial years ended September 30, 2024 and 2023.
| Compensation securities | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name and position | Type of compensation security | Number of compensation securities, number of underlying securities, and percentage of class (#) | Date of issue or grant | Issue, conversion or exercise price ($) | Closing price of security or underlying security on date of grant ($) | Closing price of security or underlying security at year end ($) | Expiry date |
| Craig Taylor | |||||||
| CEO, Director | Options | 166,667 (2.0%) | May 15, 2024 | 0.18 | 0.21 | 0.24 | May 15, 2029 |
| Anthony Zelen | |||||||
| CFO, Corporate Secretary, Director | Options | 100,000 (1.2%) | May 15, 2024 | 0.18 | 0.21 | 0.24 | May 15, 2029 |
| Michael Leahy | |||||||
| Director | Options | 66,667 (0.8%) | July 2, 2024 | 0.24 | 0.24 | 0.24 | July 2, 2024 |
| Options | 66,667 (0.8%) | Sep 17, 2024 | 0.15 | 0.18 | 0.24 | Sep 17, 2029 | |
| Alan Hitchborn | |||||||
| Former Director | Options | 33,333 (0.4%) | May 15, 2024 | 0.18 | 0.21 | 0.24 | May 15, 2029(1) |
| Isidro Flores Vasquez | |||||||
| Former Director | Options | 33,333 (0.4%) | May 15, 2024 | 0.18 | 0.21 | 0.24 | May 15, 2029(1) |
Notes:
(1) These options have expired due to the resignations of the applicable directors.
No compensation securities were exercised by any NEOs or directors of the Company during the financial years ended September 30, 2024 or 2023.
Stock Option Plans and Other Incentive Plans
The only incentive plan under which awards are granted by the Company is its existing share option plan, adopted by the Board on April 18, 2023 (the “Option Plan”). See “Particulars of Matters to be Acted Upon – Approval of Share Option Plan” for a description of the material terms of the Option Plan.
Employment, Consulting and Management Agreements
The Company does not have any employment, consulting or management agreements or arrangements with any of the Company’s current NEOs or directors.
Oversight and Description of Director and Named Executive Officer Compensation
The Company’s compensation program is intended to attract, motivate, reward and retain the management talent needed to achieve the Company’s business objectives of improving overall corporate performance and creating long-term value for the Company’s shareholders. The compensation program is intended to
reward executive officers on the basis of individual performance and achievement of corporate objectives, including the advancement of the exploration and development goals of the Company. The Company's current compensation program is comprised of base salary or fees, short term incentives such as discretionary bonuses and long term incentives such as stock options.
The Board has not created or appointed a compensation committee given the Company's current size and stage of development. All tasks related to developing and monitoring the Company's approach to the compensation of NEOs and directors are performed by the members of the Board. The compensation of NEOs, directors and the Company's employees or consultants, if any, is reviewed, recommended and approved by the Board without reference to any specific formula or criteria. NEOs that are also directors of the Company are involved in discussion relating to compensation, and disclose their interest in and abstain from voting on compensation decisions relating to them, as applicable, in accordance with the applicable corporate legislation.
Pension Plan Benefits
The Company does not have a pension plan that provides for payments or benefits to NEOs at, following, or in connection with retirement.
SECURITIES AUTHORIZED FOR ISSUANCE UNDER EQUITY COMPENSATION PLANS
The following table sets out the Company's equity compensation plan information as at the end of the financial year ended September 30, 2024:
| Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights | Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights | Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a)) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plan Category | (a) | (b) | (c) |
| Equity compensation plans approved by securityholders - (the Option Plan) | 733,333 | $0.15 | 83,976 |
| Equity compensation plans not approved by securityholders | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Total | 733,333 | $0.15 | 83,976 |
INDEBTEDNESS OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
None of the current or former directors, executive officers or employees of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, no proposed nominee for election as a director of the Company, and no associate or affiliate of any of them is or has been indebted to the Company or any of its subsidiaries at any time since the beginning of the Company's most recently completed financial year nor has any such person been indebted to any other entity where such indebtedness is the subject of a guarantee, support agreement, letter of credit or similar arrangement or understanding provided by the Company.
INTEREST OF CERTAIN PERSONS OR COMPANIES IN MATERIAL TRANSACTIONS
To the knowledge of management of the Company, no informed person (a director, officer or holder of 10% or more of the Common Shares) or nominee for election as a director of the Company or any associate or affiliate of any informed person or proposed director had any interest in any transaction which has
materially affected or would materially affect the Company or any of its subsidiaries during the financial years ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, or has any interest in any material transaction during the financial years ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, other than as disclosed in Note 6 – Related Party Transactions in the consolidated annual financial statements of the Company for those years.
MANAGEMENT CONTRACTS
Management functions of the Company are generally performed by directors and senior officers of the Company and not, to any substantial degree, by any other person to whom the Company has contracted.
PARTICULARS OF MATTERS TO BE ACTED UPON
Ratification of Option Plan
The Option Plan is a “rolling” share option plan, whereby the aggregate number of Shares reserved for issuance, together with any other Shares reserved for issuance under any other plan or agreement of the Company, may not exceed 10% of the total number of issued Shares (calculated on a non-diluted basis) at the time an option is granted. The Option Plan provides that the Board may, from time to time, in its discretion, grant to directors, officers, employees, consultants and other personnel of the Company and its subsidiaries or affiliates, options to purchase Shares.
Material Terms of the Option Plan
Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined below shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Option Plan.
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Service Provider – Service Providers are eligible for awards of Options under the Option Plan. “Service Provider” means a person who is a bona fide Director, Officer, Employee, Management Company Employee, Consultant or Company Consultant, and also includes a company, 100% of the share capital of which is beneficially owned by one or more Service Providers.
-
Maximum Shares – The maximum aggregate number of Common Shares that may be reserved for issuance under the Option Plan at any point in time is equal to 10% of the Outstanding Shares at the time the Common Shares are reserved for issuance as a result of the grant of an Option, less any Common Shares reserved for issuance under any other Share Compensation Arrangements unless the Option Plan is amended pursuant to the requirements of the TSXV Policies (and, if applicable, NEX Policies).
-
Limitations on Issue – The following restrictions on issuances of Options are applicable under the Option Plan, together with all other Share Compensation Arrangements:
(a) no Service Provider can be granted an Option if that Option would result in the total number of Options, together with all other Share Compensation Arrangements granted to such Service Provider in the previous 12 months, exceeding 5% of the Outstanding Shares, unless the Company has obtained “Disinterested Shareholder Approval” (as defined in the Option Plan to mean approval evidenced by a majority of the votes cast by all the Shareholders at a duly constituted Shareholders’ meeting, excluding votes attached to Common Shares beneficially owned by Insiders of the Company who are Service Providers or their Associates);
(b) the aggregate number of Options, together with any other Share Compensation Arrangement, granted to all Investor Relations Service Providers in any 12-month period
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cannot exceed 2% of the Outstanding Shares, calculated at the time of grant, without the prior consent of the TSXV (or NEX, as the case may be);
(c) the aggregate number of Options granted, together with any other Share Compensation Arrangements, granted to any one Consultant in any 12 month period cannot exceed 2% of the Outstanding Shares, calculated at the time of grant, without the prior consent of the TSXV (or the NEX, as the case may be);
(d) for so long as such limitation is required by the TSXV, the maximum number of Options which may be granted within any 12 months period to Service Providers who perform investor relations activities must not exceed 2% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares, and such Options must vest in stages over 12 months with no more than 25% vesting in any three (3) month period. In addition, the maximum number of Common Shares that may be granted to any one Consultant under this Plan, together with any other Share Compensation Arrangements, within a 12-month period, may not exceed 2% of the issued Common Shares calculated on the date of grant. Investor Relations Service Providers cannot receive any security based compensation other than Options.
-
Maximum Percentage to Insiders – Subject to Disinterested Shareholder Approval, the aggregate number of Common Shares reserved for issuance to Insiders of the Company under the Option Plan, together with any other Share Compensation Arrangements, cannot exceed 10% of the Outstanding Shares.
-
Maximum Percentage to Insiders Within any 12-Month Period – Subject to Disinterested Shareholder Approval, the number of Common Shares issued to Insiders of the Company within any 12-month period under the Option Plan, together with any other Share Compensation Arrangements, cannot exceed 10% of the Outstanding Shares.
-
Exercise Price – The Exercise Price of an Option will be set by the Board at the time such Option is allocated under the Option Plan, and cannot be less than the Discounted Market Price (as defined in TSXV Exchange Policy 1.1).
-
Vesting of Options – Vesting of Options shall be at the discretion of the Board and, with respect to any particular Options granted under the Option Plan, in the absence of a vesting schedule being specified at the time of grant, Options shall vest immediately. Where applicable, vesting of Options will generally be subject to:
(a) the Service Provider remaining employed by or continuing to provide services to the Company or any of its Affiliates as well as, at the discretion of the Board, achieving certain milestones which may be defined by the Board from time to time or receiving a satisfactory performance review by the Company or any of its Affiliates during the vesting period; or
(b) the Service Provider remaining as a Director of the Company or any of its Affiliates during the vesting period.
- Vesting of Options Granted to Investor Relations Service Providers – Options granted to Investor Relations Service Providers will vest such that:
(a) no more than 25% of the Options vest no sooner than three (3) months after the Options were granted;
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(b) no more than 25% of Options vest no sooner than six (6) months after the Options were granted;
(c) no more than 25% of Options vest no sooner than nine (9) months after the Options were granted; and
(d) the remainder of the Options vest no sooner than 12 months after the Options were granted.
-
Term of Option – The term of an Option will be set by the Board at the time such Option is allocated under the Option Plan. An Option can be exercisable for a maximum of 10 years from the Effective Date.
-
Optionee Ceasing to be a Director, Employee or Service Provider – Options may be exercised after the Service Provider has left his/her employ/office or has been advised by the Company that his/her services are no longer required or his/her service contract has expired, until the term applicable to such Options expires, except as follows:
(a) in the case of the death of an Optionee, any vested Option held by him/her at the date of death will become exercisable by the Optionee’s lawful personal representatives, heirs or executors until the earlier of one year after the date of death of such Optionee and the date of expiration of the term otherwise applicable to such Option;
(b) an Option granted to any Service Provider (excluding Service Providers conducting Investor Relations Activities) will expire 90 days (or such other time, not to exceed one (1) year, as shall be determined by the Board as at the date of grant or agreed to by the Board and the Optionee at any time prior to expiry of the Option) after the date the Optionee ceases to be employed by or provide services to the Company, and only to the extent that such Option was vested on the date the Optionee ceased to be so employed by or to provide services to the Company;
(c) an Option granted to any Investor Relations Service Provider will expire 30 days after the date the Optionee ceases to be employed by or provide services to the Company, and only to the extent that such Option was vested at the date the Optionee ceased to be so employed by or to provide services to the Company; and
(d) in the case of an Optionee being dismissed from employment or service for Cause, such Optionee’s Options, whether or not vested at the date of dismissal will immediately terminate without right to exercise same.
-
Non-Assignability of Options – Except in the case of death of an Optionee, all Options will be exercisable only by the Optionee to whom they are granted and will not be assignable or transferable.
-
Amendment of the Option Plan by the Board of Directors – Subject to the requirements of the TSXV Policies and the prior receipt of any necessary Regulatory Approval, the Board may in its absolute discretion amend, or modify the Option Plan or any Option granted as follows:
(a) it may make amendments which are of a typographical, grammatical or clerical nature only;
(b) amendments of a housekeeping nature;
(c) it may change the vesting provisions of an Option granted pursuant to the Option Plan, subject to prior written approval of the TSXV, if applicable;
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(d) it may change the termination provision of an Option granted pursuant to the Option Plan which does not entail an extension beyond the original Expiry Date of such Option or 12 months from termination;
(e) it may make amendments necessary as a result in changes in securities laws applicable to the Company or any requested changes by the TSXV;
(f) if the Company becomes listed or quoted on a stock exchange or stock market senior to the TSXV, it may make such amendments as may be required by the policies of such senior stock exchange or stock market; and
(g) it may make such amendments as reduce, and do not increase, the benefits of the Option Plan to Service Providers.
- Amendments Requiring Disinterested Shareholder Approval – The Company will be required to obtain Disinterested Shareholder Approval prior to any of the following actions becoming effective:
(a) the Option Plan, together with all of the Company’s other previous Share Compensation Arrangements, could result at any time in:
(i) the aggregate number of Common Shares reserved for issuance to Insiders exceeding 10% of the Outstanding Shares;
(ii) the aggregate number of Common Shares reserved for issuance to Insiders within a 12-month period exceeding 10% of the Outstanding Shares; or
(iii) the aggregate number of Common Shares reserved for issuance to any one Optionee within a 12-month period exceeding 5% of the Outstanding Shares; or
(b) any reduction in the Exercise Price of an Option, or extension to the Expiry Date of an Option held by an Insider at the time of the proposed amendment, is subject to Disinterested Shareholder Approval in accordance with the policies of the TSXV.
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Take Over Bid – If a Take Over Bid is made to the Shareholders generally then the Company shall immediately upon receipt of notice of the Take Over Bid, notify each Optionee currently holding an Option of the Take Over Bid, with full particulars thereof whereupon such Option may, notwithstanding other applicable vesting requirements or any vesting requirements set out in the Option Commitment, be immediately exercised in whole or in part by the Optionee, subject to approval of the TSXV (or the NEX, as the case may be) for vesting requirements imposed by the TSXV Policies.
-
Black-out Period – The Option Plan also contains provision for a “Black-out Period”. Should the Expiry Date for an Option fall within a Black-out Period, such Expiry Date shall, subject to approval of the TSXV (or the NEX, as the case may be), be automatically extended without any further act or formality to that day which is the 10th Business Day after the end of the Blackout Period, such 10th Business Day to be considered the Expiry Date for such Option for all purposes under the Option Plan. The 10th Business Day period referred to herein may not be extended by the Board. “Black-out Period” is defined in the Option Plan to mean an interval of time during which the Company has determined that one or more Participants may not trade any securities of the Company because they may be in possession of undisclosed material information pertaining to the Company, or when in anticipation of the release of quarterly or annual financials, to avoid
19
potential conflicts associated with a company’s insider-trading policy or applicable securities legislation, (which, for greater certainty, does not include the period during which a cease trade order is in effect to which the Company or in respect of an Insider, that Insider, is subject).
- Cashless Exercise – The Option Plan also contains a “cashless exercise” or “net exercise” basis. “Cashless exercise” is a method of exercising stock options in which a securities dealer loans funds to the option holder or sells the same shares as those underlying the option, prior to or in conjunction with the exercise of options, to allow the option holder to fund the exercise of some or all of their options. “Net exercise” is a method of option exercise under which the option holder does not make any payment to the issuer for the exercise of their options and receives on exercise a number of shares equal to the intrinsic value (current market price less the exercise price) of the option valued at the current market price. The current market price must be the 5-day volume weighted average trading price prior to option exercise. “Net exercise” may not be utilized by persons performing investor relations services.
Shareholder Approval
At the Meeting, shareholders will be asked to consider, and if thought fit, approve an ordinary resolution to ratify, confirm and approve the Option Plan.
In the absence of a contrary instruction, the persons named in the enclosed form of proxy intend to vote in favour of the above ordinary resolution. A copy of the Option Plan is attached hereto as Schedule “B” and will be available for inspection at the Meeting.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Financial information is provided in the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements for the years ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 (the “Financial Statements”). The Financial Statements will be placed before the Meeting.
Additional information relating to the Company is filed on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and is available upon request from the Company’s Corporate Secretary at Suite 228 – 1122 Mainland Street, Vancouver, BC V6B 5L1. Copies of documents will be provided free of charge to securityholders of the Company. The Company may require payment of a reasonable charge from any person or company who is not a securityholder of the Company, who requests a copy of any such document.
OTHER MATTERS
The Board is not aware of any other matters which it anticipates will come before the Meeting as of the date of mailing of this Information Circular.
BOARD APPROVAL
The contents of this Information Circular and its distribution to shareholders have been approved by the Board.
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DATED at Vancouver, British Columbia, this 25th day of July, 2025.
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD
/s/ “Craig Taylor”
Craig Taylor
Chief Executive Officer
21
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SCHEDULE "A"
AUDIT COMMITTEE CHARTER
[remainder of page left intentionally blank]
REX RESOURCES CORP.
(the "Company")
AUDIT COMMITTEE CHARTER
- Mandate and Purpose of the Committee
The Audit Committee (the "Committee") of the board of directors (the "Board") of Rex Resources Corp. (the "Company") is a standing committee of the Board whose primary function is to assist the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities relating to:
(a) the integrity of the Company's financial statements;
(b) the Company's compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, as they relate to the Company's financial statements;
(c) the qualifications, independence and performance of the Company's auditor;
(d) internal controls and disclosure controls;
(e) the performance of the Company's internal audit function;
(f) consideration and approval of certain related party transactions; and
(g) performing the additional duties set out in this Charter or otherwise delegated to the Committee by the Board.
- Authority
The Committee has the authority to:
(i) engage and compensate independent counsel and other advisors as it determines necessary or advisable to carry out its duties; and
(ii) communicate directly with the Company's auditor.
The Committee has the authority to delegate to individual members or subcommittees of the Committee.
- Composition and Expertise
The Committee shall be composed of a minimum of three members, each of whom is a director of the Company. A majority of the Committee's members must be "financially literate" as such term is defined in applicable securities legislation and a majority of whom are not Officers, employees or Control Persons of the Company or any of its Associates or Affiliates as such terms are defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange.
Committee members shall be appointed annually by the Board at the first meeting of the Board following each annual meeting of shareholders. Committee members hold office until the next annual meeting of shareholders or until they are removed by the Board or cease to be directors of the Company.
The Board shall appoint one member of the Committee to act as Chair of the Committee. If the Chair of the Committee is absent from any meeting, the Committee shall select one of the other members of the Committee to preside at that meeting.
4. Meetings
Any member of the Committee or the auditor may call a meeting of the Committee. The Committee shall meet at least four times per year and as many additional times as the Committee deems necessary to carry out its duties. The Chair shall develop and set the Committee's agenda, in consultation with other members of the Committee, the Board and senior management.
Notice of the time and place of every meeting shall be given in writing to each member of the Committee, at least 72 hours (excluding holidays) prior to the time fixed for such meeting. The Company's auditor shall be given notice of every meeting of the Committee and, at the expense of the Company, shall be entitled to attend and be heard thereat. If requested by a member of the Committee, the Company's auditor shall attend every meeting of the Committee held during the term of office of the Company's auditor.
A majority of the Committee shall constitute a quorum. No business may be transacted by the Committee except at a meeting of its members at which a quorum of the Committee is present in person or by means of such telephonic, electronic or other communications facilities as permit all persons participating in the meeting to communicate with each other simultaneously and instantaneously. Business may also be transacted by the unanimous written consent resolutions of the members of the Committee, which when so approved shall be deemed to be resolutions passed at a duly called and constituted meeting of the Committee.
The Committee may invite such directors, officers and employees of the Company and advisors as it sees fit from time to time to attend meetings of the Committee.
The Committee shall meet without management present whenever the Committee deems it appropriate.
The Committee shall appoint a Secretary who need not be a director or officer of the Company. Minutes of the meetings of the Committee shall be recorded and maintained by the Secretary and shall be subsequently presented to the Committee for review and approval.
5. Committee and Charter Review
The Committee shall conduct an annual review and assessment of its performance, effectiveness and contribution, including a review of its compliance with this Charter. The Committee shall conduct such review and assessment in such manner as it deems appropriate and report the results thereof to the Board.
The Committee shall also review and assess the adequacy of this Charter on an annual basis, taking into account all legislative and regulatory requirements applicable to the Committee, as well as any guidelines recommended by regulators or the Toronto Stock Exchange and shall recommend changes to the Board thereon.
6. Reporting to the Board
The Committee shall report to the Board in a timely manner with respect to each of its meetings held. This report may take the form of circulating copies of the minutes of each meeting held.
7. Duties and Responsibilities
(a) Financial Reporting
The Committee is responsible for reviewing and recommending approval to the Board of the Company's annual and interim financial statements, MD&A and related news releases, before they are released.
The Committee is also responsible for:
(i) being satisfied that adequate procedures are in place for the review of the Company's public disclosure of financial information extracted or derived from the Company's financial statements, other than the public disclosure referred to in the preceding paragraph, and for periodically assessing the adequacy of those procedures;
(ii) engaging the Company's auditor to perform a review of the interim financial statements and receiving from the Company's auditor a formal report on the auditor's review of such interim financial statements;
(iii) discussing with management and the Company's auditor the quality of applicable accounting principles and financial reporting standards, not just the acceptability of thereof;
(iv) discussing with management any significant variances between comparative reporting periods; and
(v) in the course of discussion with management and the Company's auditor, identifying problems or areas of concern and ensuring such matters are satisfactorily resolved.
(b) Auditor
The Committee is responsible for recommending to the Board:
(i) the auditor to be nominated for the purpose of preparing or issuing an auditor's report or performing other audit, review or attest services for the Company; and
(ii) the compensation of the Company's auditor.
The Company's auditor reports directly to the Committee. The Committee is directly responsible for overseeing the work of the Company's auditor engaged for the purpose of preparing or issuing an auditor's report or performing other audit, review or attest services for the Company, including the resolution of disagreements between management and the Company's auditor regarding financial reporting.
(c) Relationship with the Auditor
The Committee is responsible for reviewing the proposed audit plan and proposed audit fees. The Committee is also responsible for:
(i) establishing effective communication processes with management and the Company's auditor so that it can objectively monitor the quality and effectiveness of the auditor's relationship with management and the Committee;
(ii) receiving and reviewing regular feedback from the auditor on the progress against the approved audit plan, important findings, recommendations for improvements and the auditor's final report;
(iii) reviewing, at least annually, a report from the auditor on all relationships and engagements for non-audit services that may be reasonably thought to bear on the independence of the auditor; and
(iv) meeting in camera with the auditor whenever the Committee deems it appropriate.
(d) Accounting Policies
The Committee is responsible for:
(i) reviewing the Company's accounting policy note to ensure completeness and acceptability with applicable accounting principles and financial reporting standards as part of the approval of the financial statements;
(ii) discussing and reviewing the impact of proposed changes in accounting standards or securities policies or regulations;
(iii) reviewing with management and the auditor any proposed changes in major accounting policies and key estimates and judgments that may be material to financial reporting;
(iv) discussing with management and the auditor the acceptability, degree of aggressiveness/conservatism and quality of underlying accounting policies and key estimates and judgments; and
(v) discussing with management and the auditor the clarity and completeness of the Company's financial disclosures.
(e) Risk and Uncertainty
The Committee is responsible for reviewing, as part of its approval of the financial statements:
(i) uncertainty notes and disclosures; and
(ii) MD&A disclosures.
The Committee, in consultation with management, will identify the principal business risks and decide on the Company's "appetite" for risk. The Committee is responsible for reviewing related risk management policies and recommending such policies for approval by the Board. The Committee is then responsible for communicating and assigning to the applicable Board committee such policies for implementation and ongoing monitoring.
The Committee is responsible for requesting the auditor's opinion of management's assessment of significant risks facing the Company and how effectively they are managed or controlled.
(f) Controls and Control Deviations
The Committee is responsible for reviewing:
(i) the plan and scope of the annual audit with respect to planned reliance and testing of controls; and
(ii) major points contained in the auditor's management letter resulting from control evaluation and testing.
The Committee is also responsible for receiving reports from management when significant control deviations occur.
(g) Compliance with Laws and Regulations
The Committee is responsible for reviewing regular reports from management and others (e.g. auditors) concerning the Company's compliance with financial related laws and regulations, such as:
(i) tax and financial reporting laws and regulations;
(ii) legal withholdings requirements;
(iii) environmental protection laws; and
(iv) other matters for which directors face liability exposure.
(h) Related Party Transactions
All transactions between the Company and a related party (each a "related party transaction"), other than transactions entered into in the ordinary course of business, shall be presented to the Committee for consideration.
The term "related party" includes (i) all directors, officers, employees, consultants and their associates (as that term is defined in the Securities Act (British Columbia)), as well as all entities with common directors, officers, employees and consultants (each "general related parties"), and (ii) all other individuals and entities having beneficial ownership of, or control or direction over, directly or indirectly securities of the Company carrying more than 10% of the voting rights attached to all of the Company's outstanding voting securities (each "10% shareholders").
Related party transactions involving general related parties which are not material to the Company require review and approval by the Committee. Related party transactions that are material to the Company or that involve 10% shareholders require approval by the Board, following review thereof by the Committee and the Committee providing its recommendation thereon to the Board.
- Non-Audit Services
All non-audit services to be provided to the Company or its subsidiary entities by the Company's auditor must be pre-approved by the Committee.
- Submission Systems and Treatment of Complaints
The Committee is responsible for establishing procedures for:
(a) the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints received by the Company regarding accounting, internal accounting controls, or auditing matters; and
(b) the confidential, anonymous submission by employees of the Company of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters.
The Committee is responsible for reviewing complaints and concerns that are brought to the attention of the Chair of the Audit Committee and for ensuring that any such complaints and concerns are appropriately addressed. The Committee shall report quarterly to the Board on the status of any complaints or concerns received by the Committee.
10. Procedure For Reporting Of Fraud Or Control Weaknesses
Each employee is expected to report situations in which he or she suspects fraud or is aware of any internal control weaknesses. An employee should treat suspected fraud seriously, and ensure that the situation is brought to the attention of the Committee. In addition, weaknesses in the internal control procedures of the Company that may result in errors or omissions in financial information, or that create a risk of potential fraud or loss of the Company's assets, should be brought to the attention of both management and the Committee.
To facilitate the reporting of suspected fraud, it is the policy of Company that the employee (the "whistleblower") has anonymous and direct access to the Chair of the Audit Committee. Should a new Chair be appointed prior to the updating of this document, current Chair will ensure that the whistleblower is able to reach the new Chair in a timely manner. In the event that the Chair of the Audit Committee cannot be reached, the whistleblower should contact the Chair of the Board of Directors. Access to the names and place of employment of the Company's Directors can be found in the Company's website.
In addition, it is the policy of the Company that employees concerned about reporting internal control weaknesses directly to management are able to report such weaknesses to the Committee anonymously. In this case, the employee should follow the same procedure detailed above for reporting suspected fraud.
11. Hiring Policies
The Committee is responsible for reviewing and approving the Company's hiring policies regarding partners, employees and former partners and employees of the present and former auditor of the Company.
23
SCHEDULE "B"
SHARE OPTION PLAN
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LEGAL_41131906.1
REX RESOURCES CORP.
(the "Company")
SHARE OPTION PLAN
Dated for Reference April 18, 2023
ARTICLE 1
PURPOSE AND INTERPRETATION
Purpose
1.1 The purpose of this Plan is to advance the interests of the Company by encouraging equity participation in the Company through the acquisition of Common Shares of the Company. It is the intention of the Company that this Plan will at all times be in compliance with TSX Venture Policies and any inconsistencies between this Plan and TSX Venture Policies will be resolved in favour of the latter.
Definitions
1.2 In this Plan
(a) Affiliate means a company that is a parent or subsidiary of the Company, or that is controlled by the same entity as the Company;
(b) Black-out Period means a period during which a restriction has been formally imposed by the Company, pursuant to its internal trading policies as a result of the bona fide existence of undisclosed material information, on all or any of its Participants whereby such Participants are prohibited from exercising, redeeming or settling their Options, provided that any Black-out Period must expire following the general disclosure of the undisclosed material information;
(c) Board means the board of directors of the Company or any committee thereof duly empowered or authorized to grant Options under this Plan;
(d) Cause means “Just Cause” as defined in the Participant’s employment agreement or agreement for services with the Company or one of its subsidiaries, or if such term is not defined or if the Participant has not entered into an employment agreement or agreement for services with the Company or one of its subsidiaries, then any circumstance that would permit the Company or one of its subsidiaries to terminate a Participant’s employment or agreement for services without notice of termination, or payment in lieu of notice of termination, severance pay or benefits continuation under the applicable law;
(e) Change of Control means the occurrence of any of:
(i) any transaction at any time and by whatever means pursuant to which any person or any group of two or more persons acting jointly or in concert (other than the Company or any of its Affiliates) thereafter acquires the direct or indirect “beneficial ownership” (as defined in the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia)) of, or acquires the right to
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exercise control or direction over, securities of the Company representing 50% or more of the then issued and outstanding voting securities of the Company in any manner whatsoever, including, without limitation, as a result of a take-over bid, an issuance or exchange of securities, an amalgamation of the Company with any other person, an arrangement, a capital reorganization or any other business combination or reorganization;
(ii) the sale, assignment or other transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company to a person or any group of two or more persons acting jointly or in concert (other than a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company);
(iii) the occurrence of a transaction requiring approval of the Company’s security holders whereby the Company is acquired through consolidation, merger, exchange of securities, purchase of assets, amalgamation, statutory arrangement or otherwise by any person or any group of two or more persons acting jointly or in concert (other than an exchange of securities with a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company);
(iv) a majority of the Board consists of individuals which management of the Company has not nominated for election or appointment as directors; or
(v) the Board passes a resolution to the effect that an event comparable to an event set forth in this definition has occurred;
(f) Common Shares means the common shares without par value in the capital of the Company providing such class is listed on the TSX Venture;
(g) Company means the company named at the top hereof and includes, unless the context otherwise requires, all of its successors according to law;
(h) Consultant means, in relation to the Company, an individual (other than a Director, Officer or Employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries) or Company that:
(i) is engaged to provide on an ongoing bona fide basis, consulting, technical, management or other services to the Company or to any of its subsidiaries, other than services provided in relation to a Distribution;
(ii) provides the services under a written contract between the Company or any of its subsidiaries and the individual or the Company, as the case may be; and
(iii) in the reasonable opinion of the Company, spends or will spend a significant amount of time and attention on the affairs and business of the Company or of any of its subsidiaries;
(i) Date of Termination means, for a Participant, the last day that the Participant actively provides services to the Company or a subsidiary of the Company without regard to any notice of termination or pay in lieu of notice thereof, deemed or notional notice period, or period during which the Participant receives pay in lieu of notice, termination pay, severance payments, or salary continuance, whether pursuant to statute, agreement, common law or otherwise;
(j) Director means a director (as defined under applicable securities laws) of the Company or any of its subsidiaries;
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(k) Discounted Market Price has the meaning assigned by Policy 1.1 of the TSX Venture Policies;
(l) Disinterested Shareholder Approval has the meaning assigned by Policy 4.4 Sections 5.3(b) and (c) of the TSX Venture Policies;
(m) Distribution has the meaning assigned by the Securities Act, and generally refers to a distribution of securities by the Company from treasury;
(n) Effective Date for an Option means the date of grant thereof by the Board;
(o) Employee means:
(i) an individual who is considered an employee of the Company or of its subsidiary under the Income Tax Act (Canada) and for whom income tax, employment insurance and Canada Pension Plan deductions must be made at source;
(ii) an individual who works full-time for the Company or its subsidiary providing services normally provided by an employee and who is subject to the same control and direction by the Company or its subsidiary over the details and methods of work as an employee of the Company or of the subsidiary, as the case may be, but for whom income tax deductions are not made at source; or
(iii) an individual who works for the Company or its subsidiary on a continuing and regular basis for a minimum amount of time per week providing services normally provided by an employee and who is subject to the same control and direction by the Company or its subsidiary over the details and methods of work as an employee of the Company or of the subsidiary, as the case may be, but for whom income tax deductions are not made at source;
(p) Exchange Hold Period has the meaning assigned by Policy 1.1 of the TSX Venture Policies;
(q) Exercise Price means the amount payable per Common Share on the exercise of an Option, as determined in accordance with the terms thereof;
(r) Expiry Date means the day on which an Option lapses as specified in the Option Commitment therefor or in accordance with the terms of this Plan;
(s) Insider means an insider as defined in the TSX Venture Policies or as defined in securities legislation applicable to the Company;
(t) Investor Relations Service Provider means any Consultant that performs Investor Relations Activities and any Director, Officer, Employee or Management Company Employee whose role and duties primarily consist of Investor Relations Activities;
(u) Investor Relations Activities has the meaning assigned by Policy 1.1 of the TSX Venture Policies;
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(v) Management Company Employee means an individual employed by a company providing management services to the Company which services are required for the ongoing successful operation of the business enterprise of the Company;
(w) Market Price has the meaning assigned by Policy 1.1 of the TSX Venture Policies;
(x) Officer means an officer (as defined under applicable securities laws) of the Company or any of its subsidiaries;
(y) Option means the right to purchase Common Shares granted hereunder to a Participant under this Security Based Compensation Plan;
(z) Option Commitment means the notice of grant of an Option delivered by the Company hereunder to a Participant and substantially in the form of Schedule A attached hereto;
(aa) Optioned Shares means Common Shares that may be issued in the future to a Participant upon the exercise of an Option;
(bb) Optionee means the recipient of an Option hereunder;
(cc) Outstanding Shares means at the relevant time, the number of issued and outstanding Common Shares of the Company from time to time;
(dd) Participant means a Service Provider that is the recipient of Security Based Compensation granted or issued by the Company;
(ee) Person includes a company, any unincorporated entity, or an individual;
(ff) Plan means this security based share option plan, the terms of which are set out herein or as may be amended;
(gg) Plan Shares means the total number of Common Shares which may be reserved for issuance as Optioned Shares under this Plan as provided in §2.2;
(hh) Regulatory Approval means the approval of the TSX Venture and any other securities regulatory authority that has lawful jurisdiction over this Plan and any Options issued hereunder;
(ii) Securities Act means the Securities Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 418, or any successor legislation;
(jj) Security Based Compensation has the meaning given to such term in TSX Venture Policy 4.4 – Security Based Compensation;
(kk) Security Based Compensation Plan has the meaning given to such term in TSX Venture Policy 4.4 – Security Based Compensation;
(ll) Service Provider means a Person who is a Director, Officer, Employee, Management Company Employee, or Consultant, and also includes a company, 100% of the share capital of which is beneficially owned by one or more Service Providers;
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(mm) Shareholder Approval means approval by a majority of the votes cast by eligible shareholders of the Company at a duly constituted shareholders' meeting;
(nn) Take Over Bid means a take over bid as defined in National Instrument 62-104 (Takeover Bids and Issuer Bids) or the analogous provisions of securities legislation applicable to the Company;
(oo) TSX Venture means the TSX Venture Exchange and any successor thereto;
(pp) TSX Venture Policies means the rules and policies of the TSX Venture as amended from time to time; and
(qq) VWAP means the volume-weighted average trading price of the Common Shares on the TSX Venture calculated by dividing the total value by the total volume of the Common Shares traded for the five trading days immediately preceding the exercise of the subject Option, provided that the TSX Venture may exclude internal crosses and certain other special terms trades from the calculation.
Other Words and Phrases
1.3 Words and phrases used in this Plan but which are not defined in this Plan, but are defined in the TSX Venture Policies, will have the meaning assigned to them in the TSX Venture Policies.
Gender
1.4 Words importing the masculine gender include the feminine or neuter, words in the singular include the plural, words importing a corporate entity include individuals, and vice versa.
ARTICLE 2 SHARE OPTION PLAN
Establishment of Share Option Plan
2.1 This Plan is hereby established to recognize contributions made by Service Providers and to create an incentive for their continuing assistance to the Company and its Affiliates.
Maximum Plan Shares
2.2 The maximum aggregate number of Common Shares that may be reserved for issuance under this Plan, together with all other Security Based Compensation Plans, at any point in time is up to 10% of the Outstanding Shares as at the date of grant or issuance of any Security Based Compensation under any of such Security Based Compensation Plans.
Eligibility
2.3 Options to purchase Common Shares may be granted hereunder to Participants from time to time by the Board. Participants that are not individuals will be required to undertake in writing not to effect or permit any transfer of ownership or option of any of its securities, or to issue more of its securities (so as to indirectly transfer the benefits of an Option), as long as such Option remains outstanding, unless the written permission of the TSX Venture and the Company is obtained.
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Options Granted Under this Plan
2.4 All Options granted under this Plan will be evidenced by an Option Commitment substantially in the form attached as Schedule A (or in such other form as determined by the Company) showing the number of Optioned Shares, the term of the Option, a reference to vesting terms, if any, and the Exercise Price.
2.5 Subject to specific variations approved by the Board, all terms and conditions set out herein will be deemed to be incorporated into and form part of an Option Commitment made hereunder.
Limitations on Participation
2.6 This Plan provides for the following limits on grants unless otherwise permitted pursuant to the policies of the TSX Venture:
(i) unless Disinterested Shareholder Approval is obtained, the maximum aggregate number of Common Shares that may be issuable to any one Participant (and where permitted pursuant to the policies of the TSX Venture, any company that is wholly-owned by the Participant) pursuant to all Security Based Compensation of the Company granted or issued within any twelve (12) month period may not exceed 5% of the Outstanding Shares calculated on the date of grant of any Security Based Compensation;
(ii) unless Disinterested Shareholder Approval is obtained, the maximum aggregate number of Common Shares that may be issuable to Insiders of the Company (as a group) pursuant to all Security Based Compensation of the Company granted or issued within any twelve (12) month period may not exceed 10% of the Outstanding Shares calculated on the date of grant of any Security Based Compensation;
(iii) unless Disinterested Shareholder Approval is obtained, the maximum aggregate number of Common Shares that may be issuable to Insiders of the Company (as a group) pursuant to all Security Based Compensation of the Company may not exceed 10% of the Outstanding Shares at any point in time;
(iv) the maximum aggregate number of Common Shares that may be issuable to any Consultant of the Company pursuant to all Security Based Compensation of the Company granted or issued within any twelve (12) month period may not exceed 2% of the Outstanding Shares calculated on the date of grant of any Security Based Compensation; and
(v) the maximum aggregate number of Common Shares that may be issuable to all Investor Relations Services Providers pursuant to Options granted or issued within any twelve (12) month period may not exceed 2% of the Outstanding Shares calculated on the date of grant of any Options and Investor Relations Services Providers may not receive any Security Based Compensation other than Options.
Exercised and Unexercised Options
2.7 In the event an Option granted under this Plan is exercised, expires unexercised or is otherwise lawfully cancelled prior to exercise of the Option, the Optioned Shares that were issuable thereunder will be returned to this Plan and will be eligible for re-issuance.
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Administration of this Plan
2.8 The Board will be responsible for the general administration of this Plan and the proper execution of its provisions, the interpretation of this Plan and the determination of all questions arising hereunder. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Board has the power to
(a) allot Common Shares for issuance in connection with the exercise of Options;
(b) grant Options hereunder;
(c) subject to any necessary Regulatory Approval, amend, suspend, terminate or discontinue this Plan, or revoke or alter any action taken in connection therewith, except that no general amendment or suspension of this Plan will, without the prior written consent of all Optionees, alter or impair any Option previously granted under this Plan unless the alteration or impairment occurred as a result of a change in the TSX Venture Policies or the Company's tier classification thereunder; and
(d) delegate all or such portion of its powers hereunder as it may determine to one or more committees of the Board, either indefinitely or for such period of time as it may specify, and thereafter each such committee may exercise the powers and discharge the duties of the Board in respect of this Plan so delegated to the same extent as the Board is hereby authorized so to do.
Amendment of this Plan by the Board of Directors
2.9 Subject to the requirements of the TSX Venture Policies and the prior receipt of any necessary Regulatory Approval, the Board may in its absolute discretion, amend or modify this Plan or any Option granted as follows:
(a) amendments which are of a typographical, grammatical, clerical nature only;
(b) amendments of a housekeeping nature;
(c) amendments necessary as a result in changes in securities laws applicable to the Company or any requested changes by the TSX Venture; and
(d) if the Company becomes listed or quoted on a stock exchange or stock market senior to the TSX Venture, amendments as may be required by the policies of such senior stock exchange or stock market.
Amendments Requiring Disinterested Shareholder Approval
2.10 The Company will be required to obtain Disinterested Shareholder Approval prior to any of the following actions becoming effective:
(a) this Plan, together with any other Security Based Compensation Plans, or any particular grant or issue of Security Based Compensation, could result in:
(i) the aggregate number of Common Shares issuable pursuant to Security Based Compensation to Insiders (as a group) exceeding 10% of the Outstanding Shares at any time;
LEGAL_41131906.1
(ii) the aggregate number of Common Shares issuable pursuant to Security Based Compensation granted or issued within any 12 month period to Insiders (as a group) exceeding 10% of the Outstanding Shares calculated at the date of grant or issue; or
(iii) the aggregate number of Common Shares issuable pursuant to Security Based Compensation granted or issued within any 12 month period to any one Participant exceeding 5% of the Outstanding Shares calculated at the date of grant or issue; or
(b) any reduction in the Exercise Price or the extension of the term of an Option held by an Insider or any other amendment to an Option that results in a benefit to an Insider.
Options Granted Under the Company’s Previous Share Option Plans
2.11 Any option granted pursuant to a stock option plan previously adopted by the Board which is outstanding at the time this Plan comes into effect shall be deemed to have been issued under this Plan and shall, as of the date this Plan comes into effect, be governed by the terms and conditions thereof.
ARTICLE 3 TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF OPTIONS
Exercise Price
3.1 The Exercise Price of an Option will be set by the Board at the time such Option is allocated under this Plan, and cannot be less than the Discounted Market Price.
Term of Option
3.2 The term of an Option will be set by the Board at the time such Option is allocated under this Plan. An Option can be exercisable for a maximum of 10 years from the Effective Date.
Option Amendment
3.3 Subject to §2.10(b), the Exercise Price of an Option may be amended only if at least six (6) months have elapsed since the later of the date of commencement of the term of the Option, the date the Common Shares commenced trading on the TSX Venture, or the date of the last amendment of the Exercise Price.
3.4 An Option must be outstanding for at least one year before the Company may extend its term, subject to the limits contained in §3.2.
3.5 In respect of any proposed amendment to the terms of an Option, and except as otherwise provided under TSX Venture Policies:
(a) any amendment must be approved by the TSX Venture, and be subject to shareholder approval, where applicable, prior to the exercise of such Option; and
(b) the Company must issue a news release outlining the terms of the amendment.
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Vesting of Options
3.6 Subject to §3.7, vesting of Options shall be at the discretion of the Board and, with respect to any particular Options granted under this Plan, in the absence of a vesting schedule being specified at the time of grant, all such Options shall vest immediately. Where applicable, vesting of Options will generally be subject to:
(a) the Participant remaining employed by or continuing to provide services to the Company or any of its Affiliates as well as, at the discretion of the Board, achieving certain milestones which may be defined by the Board from time to time or receiving a satisfactory performance review by the Company or any of its Affiliates during the vesting period; or
(b) the Participant remaining as a Director of the Company or any of its Affiliates during the vesting period.
Vesting of Options Granted to Investor Relations Service Providers
3.7 Notwithstanding §3.6, Options granted to Investor Relations Service Providers will vest such that:
(a) no more than 25% of the Options vest no sooner than three months after the Options were granted;
(b) no more than another 25% of Options vest no sooner than six months after the Options were granted;
(c) no more than 25% of Options vest no sooner than nine months after the Options were granted; and
(d) the remainder of the Options vest no sooner than 12 months after the Options were granted.
Effect of Take-Over Bid
3.8 If a Take Over Bid is made to the shareholders generally then the Company shall immediately upon receipt of notice of the Take Over Bid, notify each Optionee currently holding an Option of the Take Over Bid, with full particulars thereof whereupon such Option may, notwithstanding §3.6 or any vesting requirements set out in the Option Commitment, be immediately exercised in whole or in part by the Optionee, subject to approval of the TSX Venture for vesting requirements imposed by the TSX Venture Policies.
Acceleration of Vesting on Change of Control
3.9 In the event of a Change of Control occurring, Options granted and outstanding, which are subject to vesting provisions, shall be deemed to have immediately vested upon the occurrence of the Change of Control, excluding Options granted to a Person engaged in Investor Relations Activities. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no acceleration to the vesting schedule of one or more Options granted to an Investor Relations Service Provider can be made without the prior written acceptance of the TSXV.
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Extension of Options Expiring during Black-out Period
3.10 Should the Expiry Date for an Option fall within a Black-out Period, such Expiry Date shall be automatically extended without any further act or formality to that day which is the tenth (10th) Business Day after the end of the Black-out Period, such tenth Business Day to be considered the Expiry Date for such Option for all purposes under the Plan, provided that such automatic extension of the Expiry Date for an Option will not apply where the Participant or the Company is subject to a cease trade order (or similar order under securities laws) in respect of the Company’s securities.
Optionee Ceasing to be Director, Employee or Service Provider
3.11 Options may be exercised after the Participant has left his/her employ/office or has been advised by the Company or its subsidiary, as applicable, that his/her services are no longer required or his/her service contract has expired, until the term applicable to such Options expires, except as follows:
(a) in the case of the death of an Optionee, any vested Option held by him at the date of death will become exercisable by the Optionee’s lawful personal representatives, heirs or executors until the earlier of one year after the date of death of such Optionee and the date of expiration of the term otherwise applicable to such Option;
(b) an Option granted to any Participant will expire 90 days (or such other time, not to exceed one year, as shall be determined by the Board as at the date of grant or agreed to by the Board and the Optionee at any time prior to expiry of the Option) after the Termination Date, and only to the extent that such Option was vested at the Termination Date; and
(c) in the case of an Optionee being dismissed from employment or service for Cause, such Optionee’s Options, whether or not vested at the date of dismissal will immediately terminate on the Termination Date without right to exercise same.
Non-assignable
3.12 Subject to §3.11(a), all Options will be exercisable only by the Optionee to whom they are granted and will not be assignable or transferable.
Adjustment of the Number of Optioned Shares
3.13 The number of Common Shares subject to an Option will be subject to adjustment in the events and in the manner following:
(a) in the event of a subdivision of Common Shares as constituted on the date hereof, at any time while an Option is in effect, into a greater number of Common Shares, the Company will thereafter deliver at the time of purchase of Optioned Shares hereunder, in addition to the number of Optioned Shares in respect of which the right to purchase is then being exercised, such additional number of Common Shares as result from the subdivision without an Optionee making any additional payment or giving any other consideration therefor;
(b) in the event of a consolidation of the Common Shares as constituted on the date hereof, at any time while an Option is in effect, into a lesser number of Common Shares, the Company will thereafter deliver and an Optionee will accept, at the time of purchase of Optioned Shares
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hereunder, in lieu of the number of Optioned Shares in respect of which the right to purchase is then being exercised, the lesser number of Common Shares as result from the consolidation;
(c) in the event of any change of the Common Shares as constituted on the date hereof, at any time while an Option is in effect, the Company will thereafter deliver at the time of purchase of Optioned Shares hereunder the number of shares of the appropriate class resulting from the said change as an Optionee would have been entitled to receive in respect of the number of Common Shares so purchased had the right to purchase been exercised before such change;
(d) in the event of a capital reorganization, reclassification or change of outstanding equity shares (other than a change in the par value thereof) of the Company, a consolidation, merger or amalgamation of the Company with or into any other company or a sale of the property of the Company as or substantially as an entirety at any time while an Option is in effect, an Optionee will thereafter have the right to purchase and receive, in lieu of the Optioned Shares immediately theretofore purchasable and receivable upon the exercise of the Option, the kind and amount of shares and other securities and property receivable upon such capital reorganization, reclassification, change, consolidation, merger, amalgamation or sale which the holder of a number of Common Shares equal to the number of Optioned Shares immediately theretofore purchasable and receivable upon the exercise of the Option would have received as a result thereof. The subdivision or consolidation of Common Shares at any time outstanding (whether with or without par value) will not be deemed to be a capital reorganization or a reclassification of the capital of the Company for the purposes of this §3.13;
(e) an adjustment will take effect at the time of the event giving rise to the adjustment, and the adjustments provided for in this section are cumulative;
(f) the Company will not be required to issue fractional shares in satisfaction of its obligations hereunder. Any fractional interest in a Common Share that would, except for the provisions of this §3.13, be deliverable upon the exercise of an Option will be cancelled and not be deliverable by the Company;
(g) if any questions arise at any time with respect to the Exercise Price or number of Optioned Shares deliverable upon exercise of an Option in any of the events set out in this §3.13, such questions will be conclusively determined by the Company’s auditors, or, if they decline to so act, any other firm of Chartered Accountants, in Vancouver, British Columbia (or in the city of the Company’s principal executive office) that the Company may designate and who will be granted access to all appropriate records and such determination will be binding upon the Company and all Optionees; and
(h) any adjustment, other than in connection with a security consolidation or security split, to Options granted or issued under this Plan is subject to the prior acceptance of the TSX Venture, including adjustments related to an amalgamation, merger, arrangement, reorganization, spin-off, dividend or recapitalization.
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ARTICLE 4
COMMITMENT AND EXERCISE PROCEDURES
Option Commitment
4.1 Upon grant of an Option hereunder, an authorized officer of the Company will deliver to the Optionee an Option Commitment detailing the terms of such Options and upon such delivery the Optionee will be subject to this Plan and have the right to purchase the Optioned Shares at the Exercise Price set out therein subject to the terms and conditions hereof, including any additional requirements contemplated with respect to the payment of required withholding taxes on behalf of Optionees.
Manner of Exercise
4.2 An Optionee who wishes to exercise his Option may do so by delivering:
(a) a written notice to the Company specifying the number of Optioned Shares being acquired pursuant to the Option; and
(b) a certified cheque, wire transfer or bank draft payable to the Company for the aggregate Exercise Price for the Optioned Shares being acquired, plus any required withholding tax amount subject to §4.5.
Cashless Exercise
4.3 Subject to the provisions of this Plan (including, without limitation, Section 4.5 and, upon prior approval of the Board, once an Option has vested and become exercisable, an Optionee may elect to exercise such Option by either:
(a) excluding Options held by any Investor Relations Service Provider, a “net exercise” procedure in which the Company issues to the Optionee, Common Shares equal to the number determined by dividing (i) the product of the number of Options being exercised multiplied by the difference between the VWAP of the underlying Common Shares and the exercise price of the subject Options by (ii) the VWAP of the underlying Common Shares; or
(b) a broker assisted “cashless exercise” in which the Company delivers a copy of irrevocable instructions to a broker engaged for such purposes by the Company to sell the Common Shares otherwise deliverable upon the exercise of the Options and to deliver promptly to the Company an amount equal to the Exercise Price and all applicable required withholding obligations a determined by the Company against delivery of the Common Shares to settle the applicable trade.
An Option may be exercised pursuant to this §4.3 from time to time by delivery to the Company, at its head office or such other place as may be specified by the Company of (i) written notice of exercise specifying that the Optionee has elected to effect such a cashless exercise of such Option, the method of cashless exercise, and the number of Options to be exercised and (ii) the payment of an amount for any tax withholding or remittance obligations of the Optionee or the Company arising under applicable law and verified by the Company to its satisfaction (or by entering into some other arrangement acceptable to the Company in its discretion, if any). The Participant shall comply with Section 4.5 of this Plan with regard to any applicable required withholding obligations and with such other procedures and policies as the Company may prescribe or determine to be necessary or advisable from time to time including prior written consent of the Board in connection with such exercise.
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4.4 In the event of a net exercise pursuant to §4.3(a) or a cashless exercise pursuant to §4.3(b), the number of Options exercised, surrendered or converted, and not the number of Common Shares actually issued by the Company, must be included in calculating the limits set forth in §2.2, §2.6 and §2.10 of this Plan.
Tax Withholding and Procedures
4.5 Notwithstanding anything else contained in this Plan, the Company may, from time to time, implement such procedures and conditions as it determines appropriate with respect to the withholding and remittance of taxes imposed under applicable law, or the funding of related amounts for which liability may arise under such applicable law. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, an Optionee who wishes to exercise an Option must, in addition to following the procedures set out in §4.5 and elsewhere in this Plan, and as a condition of exercise:
(a) deliver a certified cheque, wire transfer or bank draft payable to the Company for the amount determined by the Company to be the appropriate amount on account of such taxes or related amounts; or
(b) otherwise ensure, in a manner acceptable to the Company (if at all) in its sole and unfettered discretion, that the amount will be securely funded;
and must in all other respects follow any related procedures and conditions imposed by the Company.
Delivery of Optioned Shares and Hold Periods
4.6 As soon as practicable after receipt of the notice of exercise described in §4.2 or §4.3, as applicable, and payment in full for the Optioned Shares being acquired, the Company will direct its transfer agent to issue to the Optionee the appropriate number of Optioned Shares. An Exchange Hold Period will be applied from the date of grant for all Options granted to:
(a) Insiders; or
(b) where Options are granted to any Participants, including Insiders, where the Exercise Price is at a discount to the Market Price.
4.7 Pursuant to TSX Venture Policies, where the Exchange Hold Period is applicable, the certificate representing the Optioned Shares or written notice in the case of uncertificated shares will include a legend stipulating that the Optioned Shares issued are subject to a four-month Exchange Hold Period commencing the Effective Date of the grant of the Options.
ARTICLE 5
GENERAL
Employment and Services
5.1 Nothing contained in this Plan will confer upon or imply in favour of any Optionee any right with respect to office, employment or provision of services with the Company or a subsidiary of the Company, or interfere in any way with the right of the Company or a subsidiary of the Company to
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lawfully terminate the Optionee’s office, employment or service at any time pursuant to the arrangements pertaining to same. Participation in this Plan by an Optionee is voluntary.
No Representation or Warranty
5.2 The Company makes no representation or warranty as to the future market value of Common Shares issued in accordance with the provisions of this Plan or to the effect of the Income Tax Act (Canada) or any other taxing statute governing the Options or the Common Shares issuable thereunder or the tax consequences to a Participant. Compliance with applicable securities laws as to the disclosure and resale obligations of each Participant is the responsibility of each Participant and not the Company.
Interpretation
5.3 This Plan will be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of the Province of British Columbia.
Continuation of Plan
5.4 This Plan will become effective from and after June 9, 2023, and will remain effective provided that this Plan, or any amended version thereof, receives Shareholder Approval at each annual general meeting of the holders of Common Shares of the Company subsequent to such effective date.
Amendment of this Plan
5.5 The Board reserves the right, in its absolute discretion, to at any time amend, modify or terminate this Plan with respect to all Common Shares in respect of Options which have not yet been granted hereunder. Any amendment to any provision of this Plan will be subject to any necessary Regulatory Approvals and Shareholder Approval.
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SCHEDULE A
SHARE OPTION PLAN
OPTION COMMITMENT
Notice is hereby given that, effective this __ day of __, 20, pursuant to the provisions of the Share Option Plan (the “Plan”) of Rex Resources Corp. (the “Company”), the Company has granted to _____ (the “Optionee”), an Option to acquire __ Common Shares (“Optioned Shares”) up to 5:00 p.m. (Vancouver Time) on the __ day of __, 20 (the “Expiry Date”), or such earlier date as determined in accordance with the terms of this Plan, at an Exercise Price of Cdn$ __ per share.
[Optioned Shares are to vest immediately.]
OR
[Optioned Shares will vest (INSERT VESTING SCHEDULE AND TERMS)]
The grant of the Option evidenced hereby is made subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, which are hereby incorporated herein and form part hereof. This Option Commitment and the Option evidenced hereby is not assignable, transferable or negotiable and is subject to the detailed terms and conditions contained in the Plan. This Option Commitment is issued for convenience only and in the case of any dispute with regard to any matter in respect hereof, the provisions of the Plan and the records of the Company shall prevail.
To exercise the Option, (1) deliver a written notice in the form attached as Schedule B to the Plan (or in such other form as established by the Company) specifying the number of Optioned Shares you wish to acquire, together with a certified cheque, wire transfer or bank draft payable to the Company for the aggregate exercise price, or (2) if the Optionee wishes to exercise the Option on a “net exercise” basis or “cashless exercise” basis in accordance Section 4.3(a) or Section 4.3(b) of the Plan and the Company’s Board of Directors approves the exercise on a “net exercise” basis or “cashless exercise” basis, deliver a written notice and comply with such other conditions as established by the Company for a “net exercise” or “cashless exercise”. A certificate, or a written notice in the case of uncertificated shares, for the Optioned Shares so acquired will be issued by the Company or its transfer agent, if applicable, as soon as practicable thereafter and may bear a restrictive legend if required under applicable securities laws or the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange.
[Note: If a four month hold period is applicable under the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange, the following legend must be placed on the certificate or the written notice in the case of uncertificated shares.
“WITHOUT PRIOR WRITTEN APPROVAL OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE AND COMPLIANCE WITH ALL APPLICABLE SECURITIES LEGISLATION, THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE MAY NOT BE SOLD, TRANSFERRED, HYPOTHECATED OR OTHERWISE TRADED ON OR THROUGH THE FACILITIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE OR OTHERWISE IN CANADA OR TO OR FOR THE BENEFIT OF A CANADIAN RESIDENT UNTIL [insert date 4 months from the date of grant of the Options].”
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The Company and the Optionee represent that the Optionee, under the terms and conditions of the Plan, is a bona fide Service Provider (as defined in the Plan), entitled to receive Options under TSX Venture Policies.
The Optionee also acknowledges and consents to the collection and use of Personal Information (as defined in the TSX Venture Policies) by both the Company and the TSX Venture Exchange as more particularly set out in the Acknowledgement - Personal Information form in use by the TSX Venture Exchange on the date of this Option Commitment.
REX RESOURCES CORP.
Per:
Authorized Signatory
[insert name and title of authorized signatory]
The Optionee acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Plan and represents to the Company that the Optionee is familiar with the terms and conditions of the Plan, and hereby accepts this Option subject to all of the terms and conditions of the Plan. The Optionee agrees to execute, deliver, file and otherwise assist the Company in filing any report, undertaking or document with respect to the awarding of the Option and exercise of the Option, as may be required by applicable regulatory authorities.
OPTIONEE:
Signature
Print Name
Address
Date signed:
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SCHEDULE B
SHARE OPTION PLAN
NOTICE TO EXERCISE OPTIONS
Rex Resources Corp.
Suite 1570, 505 Burrard Street
Vancouver, BC V7X 1M5
Attention: Share Option Plan Administrator
Re: Employee Share Option Exercise
Attn: Share Option Plan of Rex Resources Corp. (the “Company”)
This letter is to inform the Administrator of the Company’s Share Option Plan that I, __, wish to exercise __ options, at __ per share, on this ___ day of __, 20___.
Payment issued in favour of [insert the name of the Company] for the amount of $ ____ will be forwarded, including withholding tax amounts.
Please register the share certificate in the name of:
Name of Optionee: ________
Address: ___________
Please send share certificate to:
Name: ________
Address: ___________
Sincerely,
Signature of Optionee ____ Date ____ SIN Number (for T4) _______